United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has forced the early retirement of General Christopher Donahue, the highest-ranking U.S. Army officer in Europe, in the latest move in a sweeping overhaul of senior military leadership.
Donahue, a four-star general who played a key role in supporting Ukraine and was the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021, is expected to formally announce his retirement in July. His departure comes amid broader Pentagon plans to review and potentially reduce the U.S. military command structure in Europe.
The move follows the earlier dismissal of General Randy George and forms part of a wider restructuring effort led by Hegseth, which has already seen several senior military officers removed or replaced. Critics say the shake-up has unsettled the armed forces, while supporters argue it aligns with the administration’s goal of reshaping military leadership and encouraging European allies to take greater responsibility for regional defence.
No official reason has been provided for Donahue’s removal, though it comes as the Pentagon reviews its military presence in Europe and reassesses defence priorities across the NATO alliance.
